Everton have miraculously gone unbeaten in their last three Premier League games after taking a goalless draw and Frank Lampard will surely have mixed emotions about the result against Watford yesterday evening.
Of their remaining four games, considering Roy Hodgson’s side are already relegated from the league this season it could’ve been considered the Toffees’ easiest opportunity to take three points in their attempt to hold onto their Premier League status next season, so to take a draw from the game will be bittersweet.
Everton are two points clear of relegation rivals Leeds United and Burnley with three tough fixtures ahead against Brentford, Crystal Palace and then Arsenal at the Emirates on the last day of the season, so there’s no doubt the former Chelsea boss won’t be feeling too comfortable yet.
Despite having more possession (52%), more shots on target and more passes completed away from home last night, the Everton side could not find the creativity to take anything from the game against a weakened Watford side.
In fact, Everton had five shots on target in total over the course of the game compared to their opponent’s zero attempted shots on target, so to not convert a single one will be massively frustrating for Lampard. However, it won’t be surprising when you consider the number of goals the side have conceded (56) this season compared to the goals they’ve scored (37).
With that being said, Abdoulaye Doucoure played a huge part in missing his opportunities to progress the ball and build play during the tie at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night, which ultimately led to the stalemate result and opportunity missed to secure all three points in the game.
According to SofaScore, the 29-year-old attacking midfielder lost possession of the ball every 4.7 touches he made, which didn’t help in the slightest when it came to controlling the flow of the game.
He was also surprisingly poor in his defensive duties, losing the majority of his aerial and ground duels combined (6/16). He also struggled to assert his authority on his former employers, proving unsuccessful in 100% of his dribble attempts against the Hornets.
The Blues boss will be hoping that last night’s performance from the Frenchman will be a one-off considering he has played a crucial part in the two most recent victories prior to the Watford clash, and will hope that going forward the midfielder will step up to put in the hard work needed over the last three games to ensure they can remain in the Premier League next season.
AND in other news: “Everton are keen..”: Insider drops exciting transfer claim, Lampard will be ecstatic
West Ham have three more Premier League fixtures left in order to secure seventh place and another tilt at European glory next season.
David Moyes will be hoping to put his team’s Europa League disappointment behind him when his side travel to Norwich today and focus on what matters, namely three more points.
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Some squad rotation will probably be required, and this gives Moyes the perfect opportunity to rejig the starting XI, with one prospective change potentially making all the difference.
Unleash Yarmolenko
Although not a Premier League regular, the 59-year-old should finally unleash “magical” right winger Andriy Yarmolenko against Norwich, as he can be a major threat.
His performances in Europe this season have proved that the Ukrainian still has the ability to cause all sorts of problems, with two goals and one assist in just eight Europa League matches, so the onus is for him to translate this form into domestic duties.
The 32-year-old signed for the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 for a fee of £17.5m but has arguably struggled to display his talents across his four years at the east London club.
There is no doubt that he can be a nightmare to play against when he is on form, and Moyes could throw the cat among the pigeons by starting him against Norwich, particularly after only receiving piecemeal action off the bench against Arsenal and Eintracht Frankfurt in the last week.
As per FBRef, the winger ranks in the 90th percentile amongst positional peers in the big five leagues in Europe for touches in the opposition box (6.31 per 90 minutes) and the 88th percentile for non-penalty goals (0.40 per 90 minutes), so he has the ability to terrify the Canaries today.
This is despite playing just 24 matches, showing how impressive his attacking abilities have been. It would be a big decision for Moyes to start Yarmolenko, as he has yet to make a full 90-minute appearance in the Premier League this season, but it could be a wise move from the manager.
AND in other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant
Rangers have had a stunning few weeks, progressing to the finals of both the Scottish Cup and, more recently, the Europa League.
A historic double is on the cards and Giovanni van Bronckhorst must be commended for his tactical masterclass, especially in Europe and he has used his squad well over the previous few weeks.
With a home fixture in the Premiership against Dundee United tomorrow, the Dutchman will be aiming to utilise his squad to its full potential and rotate a few bodies.
Leon Balogun should be unleashed on Sunday in order to give Calvin Bassey or even Connor Goldson a vital rest.
Time to unleash Balogun
The £14k-p/w Nigeria defender has been a “tremendous addition” to the Rangers team, according to former Gers hero Alex Rae, and it’s clear to see why.
Since arriving at Rangers in 2020, he has amassed 62 appearances, scoring twice for the club, and contributing heavily to them winning their first Premiership title in ten years last season.
His importance to the team is backed up by his defensive statistics this season. In 19 league matches, Balogun has made more interceptions (29) than fellow Gers defenders Goldson (16) and Bassey (19), despite playing fewer matches than the latter duo.
With a WhoScored average rating of 6.88, the 33-year-old Nigerian is Rangers’ second highest-rated centre-back, which is made even better as he has featured in 15 fewer matches than Goldson.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Balogun’s excellent performances when he is called upon deserve at least a one-year extension. In the shorter-term, Van Bronckhorst should restore him to the startine line-up tomorrow after he missed last week’s clash against Celtic due to suspension.
AND in other news, Rangers played an Ibrox blinder with £22k-pw “cornerstone” who’s like “Graeme Souness”…
He will be able to leave Turf Moor on a free transfer, and given that his market value stands at £19.8m, whoever is able to sign him will be getting themselves a bargain.
The Latest: Thelwell keen on Tarkowski
As per Football Insider, a source from Goodison Park has revealed that Everton director of football Thelwell is a ‘big admirer’ of Tarkowski, having watched him play in the Clarets’ 1-0 win at home to Wolves last weekend.
However, a deal to sign the 29-year-old will depend on whether the Merseyside club can avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Verdict: No-brainer
It is surely a no-brainer for the Toffees to snap up Tarkowski for free, providing that they can stay up, of course.
Dubbed a ‘real leader‘ by former Premier League striker Noel Whelan, the Englishman could be the organiser that Everton need in what Jamie Carragher described as a ‘Championship back four‘ after their embarrassing 5-0 thumping at Tottenham in March.
The Burnley colossus has plenty of experience of playing in the English top flight, and adding his leadership qualities could help Frank Lampard’s team to get back to where they need to be.
In other news, this big Everton injury update has now emerged
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is welcoming his Gunners squad back to training in London Colney ahead of his side’s crucial derby against Tottenham this weekend.
The face-off carries significant weight in this year’s Premier League title race, with Arsenal looking to maintain their position at the summit while Tottenham seek to disrupt their neighbours’ title aspirations.
Arsenal enter the match off a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, which ended their 10-match winning run in all competitions and eight-game run without conceding a single goal.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
The Gunners have been in exceptional form this season, averaging over two goals per match and establishing themselves as the team to beat. Their defensive prowess has been particularly impressive, conceding just five goals so far and boasting the best defence in all of Europe’s top five leagues.
Fifth-place Spurs drew 2-2 with Man United in their last outing and currently hold the best away record in the Premier League with 13 points won from a possible 15, having scored the joint-most goals (12) and conceded the fewest (three) on their travels (NBC Sports).
Despite having won just three times at Arsenal since the Premier League’s inception, this remarkable away form makes them dangerous opponents and Arteta will be very aware of the threat Thomas Frank’s side pose.
Arsenal also face a real selection headache, with star defender Gabriel Magalhaes poised to be out for at least a month after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil.
Arteta’s attacking depth faces a severe test heading into the derby too, with multiple forwards battling to prove their fitness. Viktor Gyokeres is still a doubt for the match, with little certainty around Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed that Havertz had a “minor relapse” of his knee injury and is expected to return “towards the end of the year”, casting doubt on his involvement in this weekend’s derby.
Captain Martin Odegaard’s situation remains unclear as well. Norway boss Stale Solbakken said Odegaard is “some distance away”, but the player himself stated the injury is “starting to look better” and will hopefully be back soon (TV2).
Noni Madueke was actually close to making the Sunderland squad, so he could well return to the fold for Spurs, but the game comes too soon for striker Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Jesus pictured in Arsenal training with teammates after lay-off
The Brazilian hasn’t played a single minute since rupturing his ACL in an FA Cup defeat to Man United at the start of the year, and reports suggest he’ll be the last in a long line of Arsenal attackers to return from injury (Simon Collings).
However, Jesus is back in Arsenal first-team training, with football.london relaying that the 28-year-old was pictured taking part in a session this week alongside Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White.
The former Man City star, once he makes his comeback, is set to play a role under Arteta this season, despite reports of a potential January exit.
Arteta has called Jesus an ‘unpredictable’ weapon he can’t wait to call upon, while the player himself is adamant that he’s not going anywhere.
It is unclear when Jesus will be available for full selection again, but it could well be soon given he’s back with the squad.
Already thinking about 2026 targets, Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on signing a Premier League rival who Eddie Howe is a huge fan of.
Newcastle handed early Barcelona boost
Ahead of Thursday’s clash against Barcelona, Newcastle have already been handed a major boost when it comes to team news. After missing their game against Valencia at the weekend, Lamine Yamal has been ruled out of Barcelona’s trip to St James’ Park and will not travel with Hansi Flick’s squad.
The 18-year-old, who is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, would have been playing in England for the first time, but will now have to wait for his chance to send the same statement that he’s been sending ever since stepping foot on the biggest stage.
That said, Howe recently admitted that as much as Yamal’s absence could provide Newcastle with a boost this Thursday, he relishes playing the best players and best teams.
The Newcastle boss told reporters: “Whenever I get asked these types of questions my answer’s always the same – you want to play the best teams, you want to play against the best players, and you want to challenge yourselves as much as you can.
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“But in saying that, we also want to win. We’ll take whoever they play. We know they’ve got world-class players in every position, so it’s irrelevant to a degree who is out there.”
It’s the first time in over 22 years that Barcelona will square off against Newcastle and a lot has changed in that time, both on and off the pitch. Away from the action, the Magpies are arguably in a position to compete against the Spanish giants financially and they could prove that by signing a Premier League rival in 2026.
Newcastle eyeing Kobbie Mainoo move
According to talkSPORT, Newcastle are now eyeing a move to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United in 2026. The midfielder has found himself in a frustrating position at Old Trafford after being denied the chance to leave on loan in the summer. Instead, forced to compete for a place in a World Cup year, he’s been left to watch on from Ruben Amorim’s bench in controversial fashion.
Just how long a player of Mainoo’s talent will settle for his current position is the big question. Howe is reportedly a huge admirer of the midfielder and Newcastle could test United’s resolve if they continue to leave their academy graduate out in the cold.
Manchester United's KobbieMainooin action with Leicester City's Boubakary Soumare
It wasn’t so long ago that Mainoo was scoring the winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final and arguably in better form than anyone else in a Man United shirt. Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes even went as far as to describe the 20-year-old as “special” while he was labelled as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk.
It remains unclear why Amorim has not handed him the chances that Erik ten Hag did, but Mainoo shouldn’t wait around to find out. Represented by the same agent as Nick Pope, the young star should jump at the chance if Newcastle come calling.
Newcastle United’s summer business underlined just how far the club has come since the takeover and how much further they still want to go.
It was a window marked by frustration, last-minute deals and big-money moves.
The Magpies were forced to bide their time as a string of forward targets slipped away, with Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko all proving elusive.
Persistent interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also seemed destined to end in disappointment.
Yet as the window drew to a close, Newcastle’s hierarchy finally pulled the trigger.
Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade arrived in a £69m deal, paving the way for Alexander Isak’s record-breaking £125m switch to Premier League Champions Liverpool on deadline day.
Wissa’s determination to join also paid off, with a £55m agreement finalised as the player drove through the night to force the transfer.
Early results, however, have been mixed. A goalless draw with Aston Villa, a 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool and another 0-0 against Leeds have highlighted Newcastle’s need for attacking fluency.
Wolves at St James’ Park and a glamour Champions League tie against Barcelona await after the international break – fixtures that will test Howe’s new-look group immediately.
Nick Woltemade: Newcastle’s headline addition
At 23 years old and standing at 1.98m, Nick Woltemade is the archetypal modern target man.
Tall, technically secure, and more mobile than his frame suggests.
His 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga games for Stuttgart last season marked him out as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards, and it was no surprise that Bayern Munich had three bids rejected earlier in the summer.
Persuaded by direct conversations with Howe, Woltemade chose Newcastle as the platform for the next stage of his career.
The Germany international already has four senior caps to his name and impressed at the U21 European Championships this summer.
Most recently, he showcased his playmaking instincts with an assist in Germany’s 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.
A closer look at his data from 2024/25 paints a picture of a well-rounded striker.
Matches Played
28
Goals
12
Assists
2
Progressive Carries
31
Progressive Passes
52
Across 28 appearances, Woltemade was involved in 14 goals, with a shot-on-target percentage of 50%.
He averages 1.28 shots on target per 90 and creates 4.38 shot-creating actions in the same span, evidence of his ability to contribute beyond finishing.
His 2.89 progressive passes and 1.72 progressive carries per 90 show a player comfortable linking play, while 26.1 carries per 90 underline his willingness to drive the ball forward.
Even defensively, Woltemade has shown application, recording 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90.
For a Newcastle side that often struggles to break down low blocks, his mix of aerial presence, movement and creativity looks like the perfect tool.
That being said, perhaps Newcastle have a gem in their ranks who could surpass the big German.
The hidden Newcastle gem with superstar potential
While Woltemade is already making headlines, Newcastle may have secured an even greater long-term prize in the form of Vakhtang Salia.
The 18-year-old Georgian striker joined on a five-year deal this summer and is expected to be a key figure in the U21 squad this season.
He arrives from Dinamo Tbilisi, where he registered eight goals and four assists in 57 senior appearances.
Modest numbers on paper, but performances that convinced scouts from across Europe.
Salia has already attracted admiration from giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich, while both Arsenal and Manchester City explored a deal.
In the words of journalist Graeme Bailey he is regarded as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world,” a label that has earned comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
What makes Salia so intriguing is his potential. At a market value of just €800k (£600k), Newcastle have invested in a player who could grow into a genuine superstar.
His performances at youth international level for Georgia have already caught the eye, and he has shown maturity beyond his years in leading the line against more experienced defenders in the Georgian league.
For Howe, Salia represents an opportunity. The club must carefully manage his development, ensuring he does not suffer the setbacks that have stalled other highly-touted prospects.
If handled correctly, though, Newcastle may find themselves with a striker capable of eclipsing Woltemade.
PIF have already signed Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson and he's "terrific"
Eddie Howe will hope he has his own Elliot Anderson now at Newcastle United in this terrific talent.
Going in search of their next Tom Rogic, Celtic now reportedly have concrete interest in signing an attacking addition who’s valued at just £1.5m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
Next Rogic could be key for Rodgers
During his time at the club, Rogic more than played his part to continue Celtic’s Scottish dominance and ensure that Brendan Rodgers’ first spell ended with a place in the history books. Now, in his second stint in charge, it’s clear just how much of an impact a player in a similar mould would have on the current Celtic side.
Appearances
272
Goals
46
Assists
51
Scottish Premiership titles
7
Scottish Cups
5
Scottish League Cups
5
A player who made his mark going forward in key moments, Rogic’s best work came when working under Rodgers, who was full of praise for the Australian during his time in Scotland.
The Celtic boss told reporters when Rogic returned from a spell on the sidelines in 2017: “He’s back in the squad. The magic man is back – what a player. He’s an amazing player. I think he can grow into one of the top midfield players in Europe.
“You saw him grow in the Champions League. You saw him against Manchester City and just purr at his quality. There was a big disappointment when he got injured because the week building up to it he was amazing. Top players know where there is space and he’s as good as any I’ve seen at finding space.”
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Eight years on, Rogic is now retired and Rodgers is searching for his next arrivals at Celtic amid reports that the Bhoys have now set their sights on signing a 23-year-old star who has already been compared to the Australian.
Celtic interested in "Rogic-esque" Fallenius
According to Fotboll Direkt in Sweden, Celtic now have a concrete interest in signing Oskar Fallenius from Djurgarden this summer afetr sending scouts to watch him in aciton.
The winger reportedly cost the Swedish club just £1.5m in 2023, but that price is only likely to increase if they decide to sell their emerging star in the coming months.
Oskar Fallenius celebrates for Djurgarden.
Celtic’s interest should come as no shock. As detailed by Celtic Down Under’s – a Celtic fan channel in Australia – and X account UnDiluted, Fallenius is a potential “Rogic-esque” fit on the Bhoys’ radar.
The podcaster reiterated that whilst the Swede is not a like-for-like clone of Rogic, he does share some similar traits. The Australian’s greatest strengths came in his close control, powerful striking ability and creative vision. In comparison, Fallenius is similarly physical – standing at 5’11 and reportedly has a reputation for his skill and movement.
With that said and Celtic’s interest reportedly concrete, Fallenius looks set to be one to watch in the coming months.
The campaign approaches its final stage, but for Liverpool, it’s all done and dusted. In the best way. Arne Slot has won the Premier League in his first season as the Anfield head coach.
Who saw this coming? Certainly not BBC Sport’s experts, for none of the 30 pundits listed Liverpool as champions in their pre-season predictions.
We should cut the analysts some slack; after all, the Reds had just lost Jurgen Klopp, and recent history tells the tale of a decline when iconic managers depart after so many successful years.
The odds were stacked against Slot’s Liverpool, but they have prevailed to clinch the club’s 20th top-flight title. So many players stepped up, but none more so than Mohamed Salah, who fulfilled a promise in putting the Merseysiders back on their perch.
And he’s ready to do it all over again.
Why Mo Salah can go again next season
Salah is surely a shoo-in for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award. Not only has he clinched the league title, but he’s done so with an absurd haul of 28 goals and 18 assists across 36 matches, with two fixtures still to go.
1 – Mohamed Salah
28
18
46
2 – Alexander Isak
23
6
29
3 – Bryan Mbeumo
18
8
26
4 – Erling Haaland
21
3
24
5 – Cole Palmer
15
9
24
Salah needs just two goal involvements from his final two games to break Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s long-held shared record for contributions in a single Premier League season (47), and those hauls were from a 42-match campaign.
But wait, he’s 33 this summer. Surely now is the time for the Egyptian king to regress, to accept the call of Father Time and take a seat on the back bench.
This is unlikely. Salah’s as hungry as ever, if not more so, with time against him. Slot has tweaked his talisman’s game to provide him with greater freedom in the final third, fewer duties from a defensive standpoint.
Salah is an elite athlete and his tactical intelligence has never been finer tuned. As per Sofascore, he’s only averaging 0.6 tackles per game this season but has seen an upswing in dribble and duel metrics. And, of course, he’s never been more prolific.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been spoken about ad nauseam this season, and at least now there’s clarity regarding his future. However, Liverpool do need to source a new creative lifeforce, and if Jeremie Frimpong is the man for the job at right-back, it won’t be him.
Trent and Carragher
That’s okay, Trent is a unique kind of playmaker. But Slot still wants someone to adopt the new playmaking mantle, and FSG appear willing to grant the coach an incredible new star.
Liverpool in contact with marquee signing
You’ll likely be somewhat aware of the incipient Florian Wirtz saga, with the German playmaker looking to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Bayern Munich had been thought to hold the lead in the race but The Athletic have since reported that Manchester City and Liverpool have made contact with the 22-year-old’s representatives.
One of the most coveted talents in world football, Wirtz’s signing would send shockwaves across English and European football, should he alight at either end of the M62.
It goes without saying that he’d cost a pretty penny, £126m, in fact, according to reports.
Why Florian Wirtz is Salah's dream signing
Wirtz is only young, but after being crowned last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Year as an invincible champion, it’s fair to say he’s “probably the best midfielder in the world”, and former Leverkusen star Patrick Helmes has said exactly that.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
Wirtz has plundered his way through Germany’s finest competitors in recent years, having scored 57 goals and supplied 65 assists across 190 senior appearances for Leverkusen since graduating from their youth ranks.
This season alone, he’s created 21 big chances across the Bundesliga and Champions League, as per Sofascore, having scored six goals across nine fixtures on the continent to underscore his ability to do it on the biggest stage.
Liverpool Dream XI
This talented playmaker would replace Trent and relocalise Liverpool’s creative focus. Given that he’d be in close proximity to the inswinging Salah, he could be the perfect signing to keep the leading forward firing across the final two years of his Liverpool career.
Attacking midfield
169
48
57
Left winger
21
4
5
Right winger
17
8
5
Centre-forward
15
7
7
Central midfield
5
0
3
Wirtz’s dynamism is a wonderful thing, but he’s typically found in a roaming central role, with license to thrill.
Salah would be sure to benefit from this presence, for the Leverkusen man ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Contrast Wirtz’s creativity with that of Dominik Szoboszlai, for example, and you begin to see why Liverpool are so invested. The Hungarian, tireless and tenacious as they come, has provided only 14 assists across 90 games as a Red.
He’s also made just 12 big chances across 34 Premier League fixtures this season, and with Alexander-Arnold heading out the door, the addition of a creative player of Wirtz’s ilk is only magnified.
Whether Liverpool prevail in this race will remain to be seen for the immediate future, but the fact FSG are pushing is a good thing, especially when considering the importance of keeping Salah performing at the top of his game.
Stagnancy begets decline, but Liverpool are ready to throw the kitchen sink at exciting signings for Slot’s title-winning squad.
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Manchester United’s Premier League campaign in 2024/25 has been one to forget, with the side set to finish in their lowest-ever position, along with the lowest points tally.
Ruben Amorim’s men currently sit in 15th place with just three games remaining, seeing all focus switch onto their prospect of claiming a Europa League triumph come the end of the season.
The Red Devils have conceded an average of 1.5 goals per 90 to date, undoubtedly playing a key role in their inability to rise up the table after the manager’s appointment back in November.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
However, they still have the opportunity to end the season on a high, currently in a European semi-final and holding a 3-0 advantage over Athletic Club following the away leg.
Should they go all the way and win the competition, they will secure Champions League qualification, with added squad depth needed to compete at the top level of European football next campaign.
An update on United’s hunt for new additions
Given the summer transfer window is now just around the corner, numerous links have emerged, including that of Liam Delap, who has been touted as the club’s top target for the attacking department.
The Ipswich Town talisman has netted 12 goals in his 34 appearances in 2024/25, but looks set to leave Kieran McKenna’s side after their relegation back to the Championship, which has seen the forward’s £30m release clause become active.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapapplauds fans after the match
However, despite the improvements in forward areas, the backline is also in need of investment, potentially coming in the form of Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, according to reports in Spain.
It states that the Red Devils are currently preparing a £68m bid for the Uruguayan international, who has made 22 appearances across all competitions for the LaLiga giants.
The report also claims that he’s hugely admired by staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford, potentially being a key piece in their rebuild, which desperately needs to happen this summer if they are to move in the right direction.
Why United’s £68m target could revive Andre Onana
Goalkeeper Andre Onana was seen as the man to take United to the next level after arriving back in the summer of 2023, replacing fan-favourite David de Gea in the process.
Manchester United'sAndreOnana
His ball-playing attributes were seen as a key attribute to help the side progress, but the move up until now has been a disaster, often producing a clanger which has resulted in their lowly league standing.
The Senegalese has made five errors leading to goals across all competitions, with his mistakes against Lyon nearly putting the side out of the tournament and ending any hopes of a trophy.
Questions have been asked about his long-term future at Old Trafford as a result, with it unclear whether Amorim will stick or twist with the former Inter Milan shot-stopper in 2025/26.
However, he could be revived at the club, especially if the side are to bolster their backline with a move for Araujo, with the 26-year-old having the defensive qualities to improve the situation.
Barcelona defenderRonald Araujo.
The Uruguayan, who’s been labelled “one of the best defenders in the world” by Carles Puyol, has starred this season despite his lack of action, registering two combined goals and assists.
He’s also starred at the back, completing 91% of passes, handing United a composed presence at the back and undoubtedly taking the pressure off Onana at the back.
Games played
10
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
91%
Progressive passes per 90
4
Tackles won
1.9
Blocks made
1.5
Clearances made
4
Aerials won
3.8
Araujo has also impressed out of possession, winning 1.9 tackles per 90 and making 1.5 blocks per 90 – preventing the ball from getting through and facing Onana between the sticks.
Defensive solidity is desperately needed at Old Trafford, enabling Amorim to take the side to the next level and hopefully make him a success during his tenure at the club.
The deals they make over the next couple of months will be crucial, needing to sign the right players to take them back towards glory, with Araujo the man who could massively bolster the defensive department.
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